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Report - Catesby tunnel MkII, Northants - Nov 2014

Regular User

Iâ€™d heard this place was going to be converted to an aerodynamic testing facility, where vehicles could be tested cheaper & more accurately than a conventional wind tunnel. I needed to see it one last time, and get some shots with my DSLR.
I didnâ€™t know how much truth there was in this rumour, but when we arrived we found a lot has changed since my last visit a year and a half ago. The previously overgrown portal has been completely cleared, and some of the drains have been unblocked which has alleviated the flooding at the north portal. Theyâ€™ve got a way to go yet, but a bit of money has already been spent.

On my previous visit we found a mobile phone & camera flash in the tunnel. The owner whoâ€™d had a fall in catchpit in the tunnel earlier that day, had to dash to hospital. We got in touch with the owner of these items, and they were duly returned. That person was Infraredd, so it seemed appropriate that we meet for an explore there.

So on a misty day met up with Infraredd, JuJu, Pigdog, and legendary explorer dogâ€¦ Binky!

Last time I only got as far as the last airshaft; we ran out of time and figured we had seen what there was to see with the 5 airshafts. Wrong; the final section (perhaps 40%) which is devoid of airshafts, and very dark had some of the most amazing colours Iâ€™ve seen. Terrain is heavy going and some areas are flooded, but it was worth it.
A great day out. Big thanks to Infraredd for showing me his light painting box of tricks, and the wire wool spinning.

Built in 1897, and closed in 1966 was on the great central railway from London to Sheffield. The line was the single biggest closure of the Beeching axe, and the most controversial. It was built not because of gradient, but because the rich owner of the Catesby estate didnâ€™t want a railway blighting his landscape.
27 feet wide x 25 feet high, Ventilation is provided by five shafts. Four of these are 10 feet in diameter but the northernmost - 1,250 yards from the entrance - is 15 feet wide to provide greater air flow. Plans to use it as part of HS2 have now been shelved. There are now plans to convert it to an aerodynamic testing facility.